Thread: African Blackwood wanted

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Hi Derek

You specify "the blacker the better" would Austalian Ebony be an alternative?

Hi Ian

I've never seen any, never mind used it. Is it uniformly black or near black?

I am not quite at the stage for the handles, but it should not be too far off, and I must plan this now. The drawer making takes up all my free time in the workshop. I must find time to make a couple of handles: one in Jarrah, and one in ebonised Jarrah, and then compare them.

This is quite close to what I have in mind ...



Regards from Perth

Derek

I believe the tools in Collaboration No.1 are Aust Ebony

Originally Posted by derekcohen

I am not quite at the stage for the handles, but it should not be too far off, and I must plan this now.

This is quite close to what I have in mind ...

Hi Derek

For a shape like that I suggest you plan on the construction being a bent lamination

I also suggest that you make the eight handles as two batches of 4 which you separate after they are fully shaped

Hi Ian

I have thought long and hard about construction here. My first plan was to laminate the curves, as you suggest. It seemed the best way for strength. The problem with this method is that the base sections (for the screws) will need to be glued on, and the join will be a weak area.

Consequently, I have decided to saw it out of a single piece of wood. Grain direction is important to maximise strength. The long section will not be flat on the underside, but half-round. That will add to the strength of the handle, as well as create a comfortable hold. I have M4 steel bushings for the bases. This will reduce the stresses there.

I have planned to rough out a wide version, enough for 4 handles, then slice them up, and them finish each individually. That should make it easier to ensure uniformity.

Thoughts?

Regards from Perth

Derek

I'd still go with a bent lamination and incorporate the screw points in the first strip.

hopefully the attached diagram makes that clearer

Hi Ian

That does make sense. I will try building one with and one without - see if there is any advantage in strength.

Must get the drawers done first. I am not getting enough time in the workshop!

Regards from Perth

Derek

what is the minimum dimension you need?

If it just needs to be hard and black you could always ebonise any of your WA species, like an acacia or even Jarrah, with the old vinegar/steelwood/tea bag. Paint on and let dry in the sun, if not black enough repeat application etc.

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Hi Ian
The problem with this method is that the base sections (for the screws) will need to be glued on, and the join will be a weak area.

Derek

Are you sure that the glue joint will be a weakness ... my experiences indicate that the glue joint is actually stronger than the surrounding timber on long grain joints

I am drawn to the ebonising and laminating approach.

Regards

Rob

Derek,

Call Carbatec Brisbane. They had a bunch of it.

I priced it at around 75k per cube, from memory.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Luke

Originally Posted by ian

I believe the tools in Collaboration No.1 are Aust Ebony

I asked Terry about this at the TWWW show. They're Diospyros ferrea, which is native to other parts of the South Pacific. Diospyros humilis is the true, native Ebony (and I've been looking for a piece for ages...)

Cheers,
Luke